Financial and Operational Performance Improvement Programme (FOPIP) for 6 district operators of pressurized water supply networks (Apa Canal Utilities)

In order to facilitate the implementation of the investments in the six regions of the Project, the Ministry of Environment contracted our consortium as Consultant for the Financial and Operational Performance Improvement Programme (“FOPIP”) to assist Apa Canal Utilities of Soroca, Floresti, Orhei, Hincesti, Ceadir Lunga, and Leova, in identifying and implementing the necessary corporate, financial and operational improvements to meet the related covenants included in the EBRD financing agreements.

The overall objective is to promote reform of the Utilities, creating self-sustainable and efficient operators, providing services to acceptable standards. The Utilities are supported to expand their services beyond the municipal boundaries in order to ensure efficiency of investment and operation costs with affordable tariffs. A key element is the “Service Agreement” that is concluded between each Municipality and the Utility providing water and wastewater services, in each of the six regions.

Within this project, TCD performed the following:

• Provided support in Tariff setting Policy;
• Provided assistance in the preparation of Long Term Business Plans;
• Appointed the Steering Committee, coordinated with the members and organized their meetings throughout the whole project;
• Assisted Water Utilities in Development of Draft Service Agreement between Utility and Municipalities;
• Developed a Draft Share Subscription and Shareholders Agreement for each Utility;
• Provided support in Development of Management Information System;
• Assisted Water Utilities in Operational Performance Improvement;
• Recommended an action-plan necessary for improving the quality and reliability of services and increasing the operational efficiency;
• Managed and monitored compliance with the national Trafficking in Persons regulations by the own personnel.